Cricket is a sport that is loved and played by millions around the world. One of the key aspects of the game is the pace bowling, which is often seen as the most exciting part of the game. Over the years, we have seen some of the greatest pace bowlers of all time, who have not only bowled fast but also been very successful in their careers. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 fastest bowlers in cricket history.

1.Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar, also known as the "Rawalpindi Express," is widely regarded as the fastest bowler in cricket history. He was born on 13 August 1975 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Akhtar made his debut for Pakistan in 1997 and played until 2011.

He was known for his raw pace and ability to generate extreme swing and reverse swing. Akhtar took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, 247 wickets in 163 ODIs, and 19 wickets in 15 T20Is.

2.Brett Lee

Brett Lee, the former Australian cricketer, is one of the fastest bowlers to have ever played the game. He was born on 8 November 1976 in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Lee made his debut for Australia in 1999 and played until 2012.

Lee consistently clocked speeds above 150 km/h (93 mph) throughout his career. Lee's fastest ball was clocked at 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph), which he bowled against New Zealand in 2005. Lee took 310 wickets in 76 Tests, 380 wickets in 221 ODIs, and 28 wickets in 25 T20Is.

Lee's bowling action was smooth and he generated great pace with a very high-arm action. He was also known for his reverse swing and his ability to bowl accurate yorkers at high speeds. Lee was also a great fielder and a handy lower-order batsman.

3.Shaun Tait

Shaun Tait, the former Australian cricketer, was known for his explosive pace and ability to bowl yorkers at high speeds. He was born on 22 February 1983 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Tait made his debut for Australia in 2005 and played until 2016.

Tait's fastest ball was clocked at 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph), which he bowled against England in 2010. He took 95 wickets in 35 ODIs and 28 wickets in 21 T20Is.

Tait's bowling action was unique and he generated great pace with a very short run-up. He had a slinging action and his deliveries were difficult to read for the batsmen. Tait was also known for his accuracy and his ability to bowl fast yorkers.

4.Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson, the former Australian left-arm fast bowler, was known for his ability to generate extreme pace and swing. He was born on 2 November 1981 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Johnson made his debut for Australia in 2005 and played until 2015.

Johnson consistently clocked speeds above 150 km/h (93 mph) throughout his career. His fastest ball was clocked at 156.8 km/h (97.7 mph), which he bowled against England in the 2013-14 Ashes series. Johnson took 313 wickets in 73 Tests, 239 wickets in 153 ODIs, and 38 wickets in 30 T20Is.

Johnson's bowling action was smooth and he generated great pace with a long run-up. He was also known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and his lethal bouncers. Johnson's performances were instrumental in Australia's victory in the 2013-14 Ashes series, where he took 37 wickets in five matches and was awarded the Player of the Series. Johnson was also a handy lower-order batsman and a good fielder.

5.Jeff Thomson

Jeff Thomson, the former Australian fast bowler, was one of the fastest and most feared bowlers of his time. He was born on 16 August 1950 in Greenacre, New South Wales, Australia. Thomson made his debut for Australia in 1972 and played until 1985.

Thomson consistently clocked speeds above 150 km/h (93 mph) throughout his career. His fastest ball was unofficially clocked at 180 km/h (111.8 mph) during the 1975-76 season. Thomson took 200 wickets in 51 Tests and 55 wickets in 50 ODIs.

Thomson's bowling action was unique, as he had a slinging action and an almost round-arm delivery. He generated great pace with a short run-up and his bouncers were particularly dangerous. Along with Dennis Lillee, Thomson formed one of the most lethal bowling partnerships in cricket history. Together, they took 125 wickets in 24 Tests. Thomson was also a useful lower-order batsman and a good fielder.

6.Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc, the left-arm fast bowler from Australia, is considered one of the most lethal bowlers in the world. He was born on 30 January 1990 in New South Wales, Australia. Starc made his debut for Australia in 2010 and has been a regular member of the team since then.

Starc consistently bowls above 145 km/h (90 mph) and has even clocked speeds above 160 km/h (99 mph) on occasions. His fastest ball was clocked at 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph), which he bowled against New Zealand in 2015. Starc has taken 255 wickets in 61 Tests, 184 wickets in 101 ODIs, and 47 wickets in 38 T20Is.

Starc's bowling action is unique, as he swings his arms back well beyond the horizontal before delivering the ball with a high arm action. He generates great pace and bounce from a tall and athletic frame, and can also swing the ball late. Starc is known for his ability to take wickets in clusters and has the ability to change the course of a game with his bowling.

Starc has been a key member of the Australian team, and was part of the team that won the 2015 World Cup. He has also been successful in the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and has been one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament.

7.Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn, the former South African fast bowler, is considered one of the best fast bowlers of all time. He was born on 27 June 1983 in Phalaborwa, South Africa. Steyn made his debut for South Africa in 2004 and retired from Test cricket in 2019.

Steyn consistently bowled above 145 km/h (90 mph) throughout his career and has even clocked speeds above 155 km/h (96 mph) on occasions. His fastest ball was clocked at 155.7 km/h (96.9 mph), which he bowled against New Zealand in 2013. Steyn took 439 wickets in 93 Tests, 196 wickets in 125 ODIs, and 64 wickets in 47 T20Is.

Steyn's bowling action was smooth and he generated great pace and bounce from a relatively small frame. He was also known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and his deadly accuracy. Steyn was part of the South African pace attack that was one of the best in the world during his career.

Steyn was also successful in the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Lions. He was part of the South African team that reached the semifinals of the 2007 and 2015 World Cups.

8.Andy Roberts

Andy Roberts, the former West Indian fast bowler, was known for his ability to generate great pace and swing the ball. He was born on 29 January 1951 in St. John's, Antigua, West Indies. Roberts made his debut for West Indies in 1974 and played until 1983.

Roberts consistently clocked speeds above 140 km/h (87 mph) throughout his career. His fastest ball was unofficially clocked at 159.5 km/h (99.1 mph). Roberts took 202 wickets in 47 Tests and 87 wickets in 56 ODIs.

Roberts' bowling action was smooth and he generated great pace with a long run-up. He was also known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and his lethal bouncers. Roberts was part of the legendary West Indian pace quartet, which also included Michael Holding, Joel Garner, and Colin Croft. Together, they dominated world cricket in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Roberts was also a useful lower-order batsman and a good fielder.

9.Fidel Edwards

Fidel Edwards, the former West Indian fast bowler, was known for his raw pace and ability to bowl accurate yorkers. He was born on 6 February 1982 in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies. Edwards made his debut for West Indies in 2003 and played until 2019.

Edwards consistently clocked speeds above 145 km/h (90 mph) throughout his career. His fastest ball was clocked at 157.7 km/h (97.9 mph), which he bowled against South Africa in 2003. Edwards took 165 wickets in 55 Tests, 157 wickets in 50 ODIs, and 18 wickets in 20 T20Is.

Edwards' bowling action was smooth and he generated great pace with a long run-up. He was also known for his ability to bowl accurate yorkers at high speeds and his lethal bouncers. Edwards was also a good fielder and a useful lower-order batsman.

10.Mohammad Sami

Mohammad Sami, the former Pakistani fast bowler, was known for his raw pace and ability to generate late swing. He was born on 24 February 1981 in Karachi, Pakistan. Sami made his debut for Pakistan in 2001 and played until 2016.

Sami consistently clocked speeds above 140 km/h (87 mph) throughout his career. His fastest ball was clocked at 164.2 km/h (101.9 mph), which he bowled against Zimbabwe in 2003. Sami took 85 wickets in 36 Tests, 121 wickets in 87 ODIs, and 28 wickets in 24 T20Is.

Sami's bowling action was smooth and he generated great pace with a long run-up. He was also known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and his accurate yorkers. Sami was part of the Pakistani pace attack that won the 2009 World Twenty20 and was also a useful lower-order batsman and a good fielder.